Notices by Ars Technica (arstechnica@mastodon.social)

Under new law, cops bust famous cartoonist for AI-generated child sex abuse images
Darrin Bell won a major cartooning award in 2019.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/under-new-law-cops-bust-famous-cartoonist-for-ai-generated-child-sex-abuse-images/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Canon charges $50 per year to use a $900 camera as a functional webcam
Just because it's a good rig doesn't mean you can use it on Zoom.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/canon-charges-50-per-year-to-use-a-900-camera-as-a-functional-webcam/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Hollywood mourns the loss of David Lynch
What better way to honor the visionary director than with a watchfest of some of his greatest work?
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2025/01/hollywood-mourns-the-loss-of-david-lynch/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

GM faces ban on selling driver data that can be used to raise insurance rates
GM sold geolocation and other driving data without adequate consent, FTC says.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/gm-faces-ban-on-selling-driver-data-that-can-be-used-to-raise-insurance-rates/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

FX+ 7S review: Trek’s jack-of-all-trades e-bike gets a luxury upgrade
The FX+ 7S improves just about everything from the FX+ 2, but doubles its price tag.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/01/fx-7s-review-treks-jack-of-all-trades-e-bike-gets-a-luxury-upgrade/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

How big is the Switch 2? Trailer suggests ~7.9“ screen, ~10.5” width w/ Joy-Cons
Joy-Cons are about 18% wider, with bigger buttons and joysticks too.
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/01/how-big-is-the-switch-2-trailer-suggests-7-9-screen-10-5-width-w-joy-cons/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Wegovy and Ozempic top list of 15 drugs up for next price negotiations
If the Trump admin doesn't alter the process, negotiated prices will go into effect in 2027.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/01/wegovy-and-ozempic-top-list-of-15-drugs-up-for-next-price-negotiations/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

iOS 18.3 beta disables news notification summaries after high-stakes errors
Summaries are often incorrect or strange; Apple is working on improvements.
https://arstechnica.com/apple/2025/01/ios-18-3-beta-disables-news-notification-summaries-after-high-stakes-errors/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

A solid electrolyte gives lithium-sulfur batteries ludicrous endurance
Sulfur can store a lot more lithium, but is problematically reactive in batteries.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/01/a-solid-electrolyte-gives-lithium-sulfur-batteries-ludicrous-endurance/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Supreme Court rules TikTok can be banned
TikTok has said it's preparing to shut down Sunday.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/supreme-court-rules-tiktok-can-be-banned/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

European Union orders X to hand over algorithm documents
EC has also requested access to information on how X moderates and amplifies content.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/european-union-orders-x-to-hand-over-algorithm-documents/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

More cancer, less death? New alcohol-risk reviews offer conflicting takeaways
Two big, somewhat conflicting studies on alcohol risks will influence new guidelines.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/01/more-cancer-less-death-new-alcohol-risk-reviews-offer-conflicting-takeaways/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Rocket Report: Starship experiences a RUD; Blue Origin nails its debut launch
"The computed numbers below prove that this is quite feasible with margins to spare."
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/rocket-report-starship-experiences-a-rud-blue-origin-nails-its-debut-launch/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Fire destroys Starship on its seventh test flight, raining debris from space
The Federal Aviation Administration will likely require an investigation into the accident.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/fire-destroys-starship-on-its-seventh-test-flight-raining-debris-from-space/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Girl strangled by her own wheelchair as bus monitor sent 34 texts, checked Instagram
10 years in prison is possible.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/girl-strangled-by-her-own-wheelchair-as-bus-monitor-sent-34-texts-checked-instagram/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Departing FCC chair rejects complaints about TV news coverage of Trump
Chair: Complaints "seek to weaponize the licensing authority of the FCC."
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/departing-fcc-chair-rejects-complaints-about-tv-news-coverage-of-trump/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Google increases Workspace plan base prices while adding Gemini features
New plans will be cheaper for those who want Gemini, pricier for those who don't.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/01/google-increases-workspace-plan-base-prices-while-adding-gemini-features/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

GM patents EV that can charge and power stuff simultaneously
I'm not sure why you'd want to do both at the same time, but this EV could.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/01/gm-patents-ev-that-can-charge-and-power-stuff-simultaneously/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Home Microsoft 365 plans use Copilot AI features as pretext for a price hike
"Classic" plans without AI or price increases are only for current subscribers.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/home-microsoft-365-plans-use-copilot-ai-features-as-pretext-for-a-price-hike/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Here’s what NASA would like to see SpaceX accomplish with Starship this year
The seventh test flight of Starship is scheduled for launch Thursday afternoon.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/heres-what-nasa-would-like-to-see-spacex-accomplish-with-starship-this-year/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social